Hockey India seeks fresh contract for Oltmans

BENGALURU: Hockey India High Performance Director and chief coach of the senior men's team Roelant Oltmans is all set to be with the team until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Dutchman's contract is up for renewal early next year and Hockey India have written to the Sports Authority of India seeking a four-year extension.
But this time around, Oltmans', who took up the additional responsibility of a chief coach following the exit of Paul Van Ass in July last year, will be seen only in the role of a head coach.
Confirming the move, Hockey India president Narinder Batra told TOI: "We have written to SAI seeking an extension. Oltmans will be the chief coach and his role will include the development programmes. We haven't thought about the High Performance Director yet, we will approach it when the need arises."
On the contracts of the other coaches including women's chief coach Neil Hawgood, Batra stated, "Oltmans is the senior-most among the coaches, we will first get his contract cleared."
While Oltmans' was noncommittal on the contract issue, he confirmed that his role will be that of a chief coach. "Let's first wait until the signatures are there. It's under process. I have another three months before the contract expires. We are discussing and in case I remain then I will only be chief coach. That's correct."
Asked if he saw himself with the team until the 2020 Olympics, the Dutchman said, "We have been discussing that. There's no doubt."